Notorious Hoosiers: Gertrude Baniszewski

Convicted in the 1965 torture-slaying of 16-year-old Sylvia Likens

Jun. 23, 2008 4:54 PM

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Star Library Report

It remains one of the most notorious crimes in Indianapolis history. On Oct. 26, 1965, Indianapolis police were called to a rundown house on East New York Street where they found the body of 16-year-old Sylvia Likens.

The ensuing investigation and trial revealed that she had been kept as a prisoner and systematically tortured by neighborhood children under the guidance of the woman who was supposed to be taking care of her -- Gertrude Baniszewski.

A coroner's examination would show that Sylvia's body was covered with sores, burns and bruises. She had been branded, and the words "I am a prostitute" were etched on her stomach. Although Sylvia's injuries were horrific, the most shocking fact about the case was that the torture had gone on for weeks and had involved so many neighborhood children, who had joined in on the "punishing" of Sylvia.

Neighbors had heard strange noises and visitors to the Baniszewski home had seen at least some of Sylvia's injuries. Yet no one took action until it was too late.

Baniszewski (pronounced Ban-a-CHEFF-ski) was convicted of first-degree murder on May 19, 1966 and several of the neighborhood teenagers were convicted of manslaughter. In September 1985, Baniszewski was released on parole. She changed her name to Nadine Van Fossan and moved to Iowa where she lived in obscurity until her death from lung cancer on June 16, 1990.